Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah on Monday demanded that the army explain its position with reference to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s statement, in which he had claimed the army was upset over his trial.
“If army is not with Musharraf, it should rebuff his statement,” he said, adding that its silence could be misconstrued as its consent.
Speaking to newsmen after Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting, Shah said Musharraf, by claiming to have army’s support, was trying to involve it in the treason case.
Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari declared that defending Musharraf in treason case was also ‘treason’.
Musharraf’s interview also attracted response from the government side, as Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid advised him to express his views in the court instead of doling out sensational statements in the media. He was talking to reporters on Monday.
The former military ruler, while talking to a foreign news agency, had said that he was leaving his treason trial issue to incumbent Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Gen Raheel Sharif.
“I would say the whole army is upset. Certainly, they wouldn’t like anything happening to their ex-army chief,” he had claimed adding, however, that the army was not his last hope.
“Though the army chief has the final word but the top brass always goes through due consultations before an important decision is taken. Let’s see what the COAS does in this case,” Musharraf had said.
The case is due to resume on January 1, but Musharraf said he had not yet decided whether or not he would attend the proceedings.
British lawyers will monitor treason trial
Human rights activists and UK-based lawyers Toby Cadman and Solicitor Raza Anjum say they will monitor Musharraf’s trial and report to the United Nations and human rights bodies across the world, at a press conference with a member of Musharraf’s legal team Barrister Saif ur Rehman.
Saif did not confirm whether Musharraf will appear before the special court on Thursday. “We are deliberating on this issue and no decision has been taken so far,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2013.
COMMENTS (15)
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why such clairification is being asked by leader of opposion from the army . It clearly indicates that the army is against them and is determined to shattered their vote bank . Most of their supporters are terrorists .
@ APJ @ Nikki Do you know that Z.A.Bhutto used to call General Ayub Khan as his "Daddy".
as for Khursheed Shah look who is talking >
muk muka champion and a fake Leader of the Opposition kabhi na khapay like his boss the Billa who conspired and benefited after his wife Benazir's death Shame
@ liaquat ali You are a disgrace to your name brother.
So many lies with so much audacity ? Get a life
Khursheed Shah's something is obviously burning so badly!
@zee khan: 1- ET did not publish my comments since morning. Anti Musharraf are screened out I guess. 2- Heor because he lost Kargil war and caused thousands of deaths? 3- Hero because he conquarred his own country twice? 4-Hero becasue he bribed corrupt politicians like Choudhries and Sherpaos to allign with him. 5- Hero because he promised to rid the country of Bhuttos and NS but due to his poor perfonmance ensured their return in elections and prolonged their shadow. Without his interference they would have been politically finshed by now. 6- Hero by being the briber-in-cheif for designing NRO. 7-Heros for his cowardice to call and incite army to come to his rescue instead of facing courts. 8-Hero for shunting the maintsteram parties out for 9 years and patronizing terrorists in FATA arae to ensure his double game will preserce his gruip on power. 9-Hero for playing accounting gimmicks instaed of industrial or infra structural development in the country. 10-Herofor not reforming hudood or namoose risalkat laws . 11-I dare ET to publish it and dare you to answer above one by one.
Of all the person Khursheed the Bilawal and Zardaree are shouting Like Billas of the year. Musharraf is a gentlemen above all the great Army General of all times. When he speaks he speaks the truth not like this Hippocrates . He is a real HERO of all times. These so called Politician are all corrupts lairs , they want to full fill there Pockets , and make the common innocent people of my country suffer. So please when u talk think before it. when ever a General comes these Politicians bow there heads before them. Our Judiciary would say not much a different.
@Nikki: Extension; Father-in-law of the ex-president, Asif Ali Zardari
@Nikki:
No he will listen him to release his political statement. By the way Shah sahib, why did you not initiate this trial under article 6?
Why should army take action against Musharraf? These politicians always instigate the army during crisis in Pakistan. Morovere, Musharraf has freedom of speech and expression, you dont listen if you dont like him.
@APJ:
Zulfqar Ali Bhutto the grand father of Bilawal Zardari
Can someone remind me who was Ayub's Foreign Minister?
If anyone is to be charged with treason or putting the country in danger. Then leaders of the PPP, PML-N, MQM, PTI should be hanged!
PPP is a wonderful party. A WAPDA meter reader joins it and becomes a billionaire
The Army is also a state institution. It serves on Taxpayers Money and needs to learn from countries like Turkey and Sri Lanka as to what happened to the cases of treason by former Army Chiefs. Ultimately rule of law prevails in all civilized societies.